The Sign of the Four is a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, featuring his famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Published in 1890, it is the second novel featuring the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion, Dr. John Watson. This mystery novel delves into a complex plot filled with hidden treasure, betrayal, and revenge. The novel also marks an important personal development for Dr. Watson, who meets Mary Morstan, a woman who will play a significant role in his life.
Comprehensive Plot Summary
Sherlock Holmes sat in his Baker Street flat, his lean frame slumped in an armchair, eyes clouded with boredom. His mind craved stimulation, and with no new cases, he resorted to a seven-percent solution of cocaine, much to the dismay of his friend and biographer, Dr. John Watson. Watson, a retired army doctor who had fought in Afghanistan, was well-acquainted with Holmes’ brilliance but deeply concerned about his dangerous habits. The monotony of life seemed unbearable to the great detective until the unexpected arrival of Miss Mary Morstan.
Miss Morstan, a young governess with a delicate beauty and an air of quiet sadness, entered their lives with a peculiar mystery. Ten years ago, her father, Captain Morstan, had disappeared under strange circumstances after returning to London from India. For six years, she heard nothing until she began receiving a valuable pearl every year, always on the same date. Along with these mysterious gifts, she received a letter asking her to meet the sender and bring two companions. Naturally, she turned to Holmes for help.
Holmes was instantly intrigued. The meeting took place outside the Lyceum Theatre, where they were greeted by a nervous man named Thaddeus Sholto. Sholto revealed that his father, Major John Sholto, had been a close friend of Captain Morstan. On the night of Morstan’s return to London, a quarrel over a treasure had erupted between the two men, leading to Morstan’s sudden death. Overcome with fear of being accused of murder, Sholto’s father had concealed Morstan’s body and the treasure they had discovered together in India. The guilt weighed on him until his deathbed, but before he could reveal the treasure’s location to his sons, Major Sholto saw a mysterious face at the window and died in terror.
After Major Sholto’s death, Thaddeus and his twin brother, Bartholomew, discovered part of the hidden treasure: a collection of valuable jewels. To atone for his father’s wrongs, Thaddeus had been sending Miss Morstan the pearls, one by one. He now invited Holmes, Watson, and Miss Morstan to Pondicherry Lodge, the Sholto family home, to finally uncover the rest of the treasure.
As they arrived at the grand yet eerie Pondicherry Lodge, they were greeted by silence and darkness. Bartholomew, who had stayed behind to guard the treasure, did not answer the door. With mounting apprehension, they entered the house and found Bartholomew dead in his locked room. His face was contorted in horror, much like his father’s had been years before. Beside the body lay a torn note, scrawled with the words “The Sign of the Four” and a peculiar drawing of four crosses. The treasure chest was empty.
Holmes immediately set to work, examining the crime scene with his usual thoroughness. He deduced that the murder had been committed by two men—one of them a small, agile individual with a wooden leg, and the other an accomplice with bare feet. Holmes also found traces of creosote on the windowsill, which helped him track the criminals’ escape route. The evidence led Holmes to believe that Jonathan Small, a convict with a wooden leg, and an accomplice from the Andaman Islands were behind both the murder and the theft of the treasure.
Holmes enlisted the help of his street network, the Baker Street Irregulars, and traced the criminals’ path through London. His investigation revealed that Jonathan Small had been one of four convicts who had discovered the treasure while imprisoned in the Andaman Islands. They had struck a deal with two British officers, including Captain Morstan and Major Sholto, to share the treasure upon their escape. However, greed had intervened, and the treasure never reached the convicts, who felt cheated. Jonathan Small, driven by revenge, had pursued the treasure across continents, determined to reclaim what he believed was rightfully his.
As Holmes closed in on Small, he arranged for a police boat to assist in the chase along the Thames. The criminals had fled by river, using a small steam launch called The Aurora. With Inspector Athelney Jones of Scotland Yard and Watson by his side, Holmes set off in hot pursuit. The fog hung thick over the river, and the chase was a tense one. The launch sped through the murky waters, cutting through the mist as Holmes expertly directed their course.
Eventually, they caught up with The Aurora. A fierce struggle ensued, with Watson firing his revolver to disable the criminals’ boat. The barefoot accomplice, a native from the Andaman Islands named Tonga, was killed in the scuffle. Jonathan Small, defiant but resigned, was captured. He revealed that he had thrown the treasure into the river, its weight dragging it down into the dark depths where it would never be found again.
Later, back at Baker Street, Small explained his story to Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Jones. He recounted his bitter fate as a convict in the Andaman Islands and his part in discovering the Agra treasure, only to have it stolen by Sholto and Morstan. For years, Small had plotted his revenge, always believing that the treasure belonged to him and the other members of his convict group. His only regret was that, after all the years of struggle and bloodshed, the treasure had slipped through his fingers forever.
Miss Morstan, despite the loss of the treasure, found comfort in Watson’s steady companionship. Watson, who had quietly fallen in love with her during their adventure, now saw an opportunity to confess his feelings. Unencumbered by the weight of wealth or fortune, the two were free to pursue a simple, honest future together.
As for Holmes, he remained unchanged—immune to the personal dramas that unfolded around him. His mind, now sharp and invigorated by the thrill of the chase, was already eager for the next puzzle. The treasure was gone, but for Holmes, the true reward had always been the intellectual challenge, the thrill of unraveling the mystery piece by piece. With a fresh case solved, Holmes returned to his world of deductions, where human emotions and fortunes were but variables in the grand equation of life.
Main Characters
Sherlock Holmes: The brilliant, eccentric consulting detective with unparalleled deductive reasoning skills. Holmes is depicted as both a man of keen intellect and one prone to melancholy when lacking intellectual stimulation. His use of drugs like cocaine reflects his need for mental engagement.
Dr. John Watson: Holmes’ steadfast companion and the narrator of the story. A former army surgeon, Watson is grounded and reliable, providing the emotional and moral counterpoint to Holmes. His developing feelings for Mary Morstan add emotional depth to the plot.
Mary Morstan: A young woman who seeks Holmes’ help in solving the mystery of her missing father and a series of mysterious gifts. Her kindness and vulnerability make her a sympathetic figure, and she later becomes the object of Watson’s affection.
Thaddeus Sholto: One of the twin sons of Major John Sholto, who holds the key to the mystery surrounding the hidden treasure. Nervous and excitable, Thaddeus’ actions and information set the central investigation in motion.
Jonathan Small: The antagonist of the story, Jonathan Small is driven by a sense of betrayal and seeks revenge for losing the Agra treasure. His motivations are complex, tied to themes of colonialism and greed.
Themes and Motifs
Justice and Revenge: The novel explores different characters’ notions of justice, particularly through Jonathan Small, who feels wronged by those who took the Agra treasure from him. His quest for revenge contrasts with the more measured approach of Holmes, who seeks justice through rational investigation.
Colonialism: Set against the backdrop of British colonialism, particularly in India, The Sign of the Four touches on themes of imperialism, treasure plundered from foreign lands, and the consequences of colonial greed. The hidden treasure is a symbol of the exploitation of colonized lands.
Greed: Greed motivates many of the characters, from Major Sholto’s concealment of the treasure to Jonathan Small’s relentless pursuit of it. The novel suggests that greed corrupts even those who possess it, leading to tragic consequences.
Loyalty and Friendship: The deep bond between Holmes and Watson is a recurring theme. While Holmes values Watson’s companionship, Watson’s loyalty extends beyond friendship as he falls in love with Mary Morstan. The contrast between this human connection and Holmes’ emotional detachment is central to the novel.
Writing Style and Tone
Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing in The Sign of the Four is a blend of crisp, analytical prose and richly atmospheric descriptions. Holmes’ methodical reasoning is reflected in the precision of the language, especially when detailing his investigative process. Doyle often uses Watson as the narrator to provide a more human, emotional perspective, tempering Holmes’ cold, logical approach with warmth and sensitivity.
The tone of the novel shifts between suspenseful and reflective. Doyle builds tension through intricate plot twists and red herrings while also allowing space for introspective moments, particularly as Watson contemplates his feelings for Mary Morstan. The novel’s dark, foggy London setting adds to its overall sense of mystery and intrigue, while moments of sharp dialogue between Holmes and Watson bring a touch of wit and levity to the narrative.
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